The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has announced the appointment of Michael Collins, managing director of JE Dunn Capital Partners, to ULI Americas Executive Committee (AEC).

The AEC is the highest governing body of ULI in the Americas, and is comprised of 20 industry leaders serving members in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Collins, who was nominated by his peers and elected by ULI’s Global Board of Directors, will provide strategic direction and further ULI’s mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

During his three-year term, Collins will also serve on ULI’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEI) to increase the ethnic and racial diversity of ULI membership and leadership and more broadly, the demographics of the real estate industry.

“I am humbled by this appointment and look forward to representing Kansas City and our district council on the Americas Executive Committee,” said Collins. “It is an exciting opportunity, and I am truly honored to play a role in the initial launch of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council at ULI.”

Led by Americas Chairman Jonathan H. Brinsden and President Gwyneth Jones Cote, AEC members are selected based on industry leadership, commitment to influencing responsible land use policies, diversity in geography, and core expertise. Collins brings more than 20 years of experience in government and policy at the federal, state, and local levels as well as involvement in more than $3 billion in public finance, real estate investment, and development projects.

“ULI will greatly benefit from Michael’s insights and leadership,” said Joy Crimmins, Executive Director of ULI Kansas City. “He will be a strong representative for the district council network, and we’re thrilled to have a ULI Kansas City member serve at the national level of ULI.”

As managing director of JE Dunn Capital Partners, a private equity commercial real estate investment subsidiary of JE Dunn Construction Company, Collins oversees the public-private partnerships and healthcare real estate project equity and debt structures, as well as investment projects for social infrastructure, public entity, and higher education clients.

Collins is former president and CEO of Port KC, the regional Port Authority of Kansas City, where he managed a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets, inland port facilities, and infrastructure projects, including the creation of the Kansas City Streetcar transportation system. He began his career as a legislative advisor to U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO) in Washington, D.C.

Collins has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Park University, an MBA in finance from Rockhurst University, and completed post-graduate education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

“Michael’s appointment is a compliment to him personally, his professional career, and the Kansas City district council,” said David Brain, former district council chair of ULI Kansas City. “The local ULI council is a vibrant part of the Kansas City real estate community. Michael’s work with the AEC will strengthen the connection with ULI nationally and the vitality of the KC district council, which will benefit members and sponsors alike.”

With more than 45,000 members globally, ULI is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. ULI members represent every profession and sector in real estate development and land use, from all over the world, in every career stage. Collins has a long-standing relationship with ULI Kansas City and became district council chair in July.